PCF-038654 · case file

SOCORRO, NM, US

04/24/1964 · SOCORRO, NM, US · +1 witnesses

The record

Catena 1

Characteristics

Shape: Ovoid
Sound: Roaring
Weather: Clear
Local time: 0.0

From the source record

County: Socorro
# of objects: 1
Witness count: +1
Other sources: JHynek3
Lifeforms reported: 2.0
Lifeform species: Dwarf
Lifeform height: 4.0
Lifeform uniform: White coverall
Reported location (raw): SOCORRO, NM, US

Source records · 18

The unmodified record(s) the master event was assembled from.

UFOCATU-10738820 fields

Date: 04/24/1964
Color: Metallic
Shape: Ovoid
Sound: Roaring
County: Socorro
Weather: Clear
Incident: Catena 1
Location: SOCORRO
Time Local: 0.0
# of Objects: 1
Country Code: US
Catalog Entry: U-107388
Other sources: JHynek3
State or Prov: NM
Witness Count: +1
Lifeform Count: 2.0
Lifeform Height: 4.0
Lifeform Species: Dwarf
Lifeform Uniform: White coverall
Original Location: SOCORRO, NM, US

UFOCATU-3731818 fields

Date: 04/24/1964
Color: Metallic
Shape: Ovoid
Sound: Roaring
County: Socorro
Incident: Catena 1
Location: SOCORRO
Time Local: 0.0
# of Objects: 1
Country Code: US
Catalog Entry: U-37318
Other sources: DataNet
State or Prov: NM
Lifeform Count: 2.0
Lifeform Height: 4.0
Lifeform Species: Dwarf
Lifeform Uniform: White coverall
Original Location: SOCORRO, NM, US

UFOCATU-6429618 fields

Date: 04/24/1964
Color: Metallic
Shape: Ovoid
Sound: Roaring
County: Socorro
Incident: Catena 1
Location: SOCORRO
Time Local: 0.0
# of Objects: 1
Country Code: US
Catalog Entry: U-64296
Other sources: TPhillips
State or Prov: NM
Lifeform Count: 2.0
Lifeform Height: 4.0
Lifeform Species: Dwarf
Lifeform Uniform: White coverall
Original Location: SOCORRO, NM, US

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:129 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Rural area near a dynamite shack; little-used road over hills
shape: Oval/egg/football-shaped, silvery, on girderlike legs
sound: Very loud roar, low frequency rising to high frequency, like a wailing, not like a jet
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: 24 April 1964
incident: Sgt Lonnie Zamora of the Socorro Police Department, while chasing a speeding auto north on U.S. 85, heard a roar and saw flames near a dynamite shack. He proceeded to the location and from about 800 yd saw what appeared to be an overturned car, with two objects in white coveralls beside it that he assumed to be occupants. Approaching to within about 100-150 ft, he saw a silvery, oval/egg-shaped object resting on girderlike legs, marked with an insignia, and standing about 15 feet long. The object emitted a loud roar that rose in pitch, a blue and orange flame came from underneath, and it rose slowly and departed to the SW, traveling several miles in about 3 minutes, never rising more than a few feet off the ground before fading in the distance. Zamora fell, lost his glasses, and took cover expecting an explosion. Landing site showed shallow depressions and burned brush.
lifeforms: Two figures in white coveralls/overalls seen near the object, assumed to be occupants
time_local: 1745 (approx 5:30 pm) MST
trajectory: Object rose slowly a few feet off ground, then departed SW, traveling about 6-8 miles in about 3 minutes, fading in the distance
case_source: BLUEBOOK
size_meters: approx 15 feet long (~4.6 m)
time_of_day: Day
source_quote: Sighting of landing by Lonnie Zamora. ... the vehicle or object observed by Mr Lonnie Zamora was not an inter-planetary space vehicle visiting the planet Earth. This case is still open and the investigation is still in progress.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:1
ground_traces: Shallow depressions / burned spots at the landing site; burned brush cold to the touch
location_text: Socorro, New Mexico (rural area, Stallion Range Center vicinity)
witness_count: 1
photo_or_video: Photos of the area taken by Major Connor and Sgt Moody
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
light_emissions: Blue and orange flame coming from beneath the object
witness_sex_age: Male, adult
witness_reactions: Zamora frightened, fell, lost glasses, took cover under a blanket expecting an explosion; appeared pale and upset to Sgt Chavez who arrived three minutes later
witness_occupation: Police officer (Socorro Police Department patrolman)
materials_recovered: Soil samples and burned brush samples taken; laboratory analysis revealed no foreign material, no abnormal radiation, no propellant chemicals
nature_of_phenomenon: Unidentified landed craft with apparent occupants
vallee_classification: CE3

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:215 fields

date: 1964-04-24
site: Roadway (U.S. 85)
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: 24 April 1964 (additional, approx 85 miles North of the city)
incident: Additional observations reported by aircraft and civilian witnesses traveling North on U.S. 85 about 85 miles north of the city. The object was reported motionless at one point, then disappeared in the direction it had traveled. A witness at a ground station verified reporting an unidentified flying object.
trajectory: Object motionless at one point, then disappeared in direction it traveled
case_source: BLUEBOOK
source_quote: Additional observations by aircraft and civilian witnesses traveling North on U.S. 85 (approx 85 miles North of the city). The object was motionless at one point.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:2
location_text: On U.S. 85, approximately 85 miles North of Socorro, New Mexico
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
witness_occupation: Aircraft and civilian witnesses
nature_of_phenomenon: Unidentified flying object
vallee_classification: AN1

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:329 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Rural area near town, half mile south of Socorro
shape: Football/egg-shaped, oval
sound: Took off with a roar
state: New Mexico
country: USA
weather: Wind blowing strongly from the south
date_raw: 24 April 1964, about 1800 MST
incident: Police officer Lonnie Zamora, while chasing a speeding motorist, saw a silver football/egg-shaped object about 15 feet long from the road at about 200 feet distance. He saw two men in white overalls get into the object, which took off with a roar, rose to an altitude of about 20 feet and disappeared rapidly to the west. The Army roped off the area and the FBI confirmed something had been there, finding burned leg-like impressions in the ground.
lifeforms: Two men in white overalls
time_local: 1800 MST (also reported as 5:45 P.M.)
trajectory: Rose to 20 feet altitude and departed rapidly to the west (crosswind)
case_source: BLUEBOOK
size_meters: approx 15 feet long (~4.6 m)
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: The alleged witness was a reputable local police officer by the name of Lonnie Damora. Damora was chasing a speeding motorist when he saw the object from the road at a distance of about 200 feet. He claims to have seen two-man in white overall get into the silver colored foot-ball shaped object about 15 feet long.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:3
ground_traces: Leg-like impressions in the ground that appeared burned; localized searing; no tracks coming or going found
location_text: rural area on the Stallion Range Center, Socorro, New Mexico
witness_count: 1
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
light_emissions: Reported flame on takeoff
witness_sex_age: Male, adult
witness_reactions: Zamora was thoroughly frightened, in a state Chavez had never seen him in; thought there had been an explosion in a dynamite sack
witness_occupation: Police officer
materials_recovered: Soil samples taken by the Army; charred cardboard carburettor air-filter type material analyzed
nature_of_phenomenon: Landed craft with occupants
vallee_classification: CE3

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:420 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Highway
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: (reported in Socorro El Defensor & Chieftain, tourist account)
incident: An unnamed tourist motorist reported to service station manager Opal Grinder that a strange object came from the east over the highway crossing directly in front of him, flying at low altitude with odd appearance, and that a police car was seen going by shortly after.
time_local: approx 5:45 P.M.
trajectory: Came from the east over the highway, low altitude
case_source: BLUEBOOK
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: He stated that the witness said the object came from the East over the highway and had remarked about the low altitude and odd appearance of the craft.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:4
location_text: highway near Socorro, New Mexico (Whiting Brothers Service Station)
witness_count: 1
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
witness_reactions: Remarked about the low altitude and odd appearance of the craft
witness_occupation: Tourist/motorist
nature_of_phenomenon: Object crossing highway at low altitude
vallee_classification: AN1

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:1021 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Roadway (US 85)
shape: Described as a 'funny looking helicopter'
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: just before it landed in a gulley (April 1964)
incident: An unidentified tourist traveling north on US 85 saw the UFO just before it landed in a gulley. He stopped at a service station and remarked that aircraft flew low around there, describing it as a 'funny looking helicopter.' He said the object had flown over his car heading straight for the gully where it landed moments later, and that he had seen a police car heading up the hill.
trajectory: Flew low over the tourist's car, headed straight for the gully where it landed
case_source: BLUEBOOK
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: At least one other person - an unidentified tourist traveling north on US 85 - saw the UFO just before it landed in a gulley... "It was a funny looking helicopter, if that's what it was."
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:10
location_text: US 85 North, near Whitting Brothers' Service Station, Socorro, New Mexico
witness_count: 1
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
witness_sex_age: Male, adult
witness_reactions: Remarked that aircraft flew low around there
witness_occupation: Tourist/traveler
nature_of_phenomenon: Object in flight prior to landing
vallee_classification: CE1

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:1130 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Open desert hill near Socorro, edge of White Sands Missile Range
shape: Egg-shaped
sound: Loud hum/buzz/roar; two explosion-like sounds; humming bing-bing-bing
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: Friday afternoon about 5 p.m. (April 24, 1964)
incident: Socorro policeman Lonnie Zamora, while on routine patrol, noted a flash in the southwest sky and heard what sounded like two explosions. Investigating, he drove to within about 100 feet of an egg-shaped vehicle roughly the size of an automobile resting on a wash on a hill. He saw two figures in white overalls/suits adjacent to it. When they noticed him, they jumped in and the craft roared away with a loud hum/roar, rising due west at an altitude of about 20 feet for nearly a mile, then increasing speed rapidly and climbing into the sky. Dry grass at the landing point was still smoldering and mesquite bushes showed burn marks. Odd pug-shaped marks were left instead of footprints.
lifeforms: Two 'men'/figures in white overalls/suits adjacent to the craft
radar_data: Radar tie-in sought to UFO report (per headline)
time_local: 5:00 p.m.
trajectory: Rose due west at about 20 feet altitude for nearly a mile, then increased speed and climbed into the sky
case_source: BLUEBOOK
size_meters: roughly the size of an automobile
time_of_day: Day
source_quote: Socorro City Officer Lonnie Zamora told of seeing the egg-shaped vehicle, roughly the size of an automobile, after he had noted a flash in the southwest sky about 5 p.m. Friday while on routine patrol.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:11
ground_traces: Smoldering dry grass at landing point, burn marks on mesquite bushes, pug-shaped marks instead of footprints, soil samples taken
location_text: outskirts of Socorro, N.M., on the wide-open New Mexico desert, about 30 miles northwest of the site of the world's first atomic blast, edge of White Sands Missile Range
witness_count: 1
photo_or_video: B/W photos of Zamora and site taken (referenced in document attachments)
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
light_emissions: Flash in the southwest sky; jet-like blast on take-off
witness_sex_age: Male, 31
witness_reactions: Zamora crouched behind his car, was frightened, could not sleep afterward, transferred to night shift, answered ~1000-2000 letters; called for help
witness_occupation: Socorro city police officer (six years experience)
materials_recovered: Soil sample S-540 taken from site for rush analysis
nature_of_phenomenon: Landed craft with occupants (close encounter)
vallee_classification: CE3

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:1330 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Desert draw/mesa near dynamite shack
shape: Egg-shaped / oval object
sound: Roar/blast that changed to a whine as it rose
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: April 24, 1964
incident: Police officer Lonnie Zamora, alerted by a roar and a cloud of smoke, observed an egg-shaped object on the ground supported by four girder-like legs with red lettering (an inverted V with bars through it) on its sides. Near it were two figures in white coveralls about the size of 12-13 year old boys. The object rose about 20 feet with a roar that changed to a whine, then flew in a straight line clearing a dynamite shack by a couple feet and disappeared. Scorched ground, burned bush, four leg depressions and two round prints were found.
lifeforms: Two figures in white coveralls, approximately as tall as 12-13 year old boys; one turned and looked at Zamora
radar_data: No radar contacts reported; noted as bothersome by investigators
time_local: evening
trajectory: Rose vertically ~20 feet, moved in straight line for about 2 miles, then gained altitude rapidly and disappeared
case_source: BLUEBOOK
size_meters: about 15 feet long
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: "It had red lettering of some kind on the sides," Zamora said. He said the object was on-the-ground, supported by four girder-like legs.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:13
ground_traces: Four 4-5 inch (12 in by 8 in) depressions from landing legs, irregularly spaced 9-15 feet apart; two round impressions 4 and 5 inches in diameter; scorched ground and burned weeds/bush still smoking
location_text: south of Socorro, New Mexico, in a draw not visible from main roads, near a dynamite shack
witness_count: 1
photo_or_video: Picture taken at the site the next day (April 25), shown in Fate Magazine July 1964
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
light_emissions: Flames and dust at takeoff
witness_sex_age: male, adult
witness_reactions: Zamora threw himself to the ground fearing explosion; described as frightened badly; considered a reliable, dependable observer
witness_occupation: Socorro policeman
materials_recovered: Soil samples taken by APRO (Lorenzen) and Dr. Hynek for analysis
nature_of_phenomenon: Landed craft with occupants (CE-III)
vallee_classification: CE3

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:2328 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: desert edge of White Sands missile range
shape: Egg-shaped / oval
sound: roar when it took off
state: New Mexico
country: USA
weather: clear
date_raw: 24 April 1964 (Friday)
incident: Officer Lonnie Zamora, on highway patrol, sighted a shiny egg/oval-shaped craft standing on four girder-like legs on the desert. He saw what appeared to be two figures in white coveralls near the object. The craft had red markings (an inverted V with three crossing bars). When he approached within about 100 feet, it blasted flame from underneath, rose about 20 feet off the ground and flew slowly away westward, narrowly missing a dynamite shack.
lifeforms: Two figures in white coveralls
time_local: dusk
trajectory: Rose ~20 feet, flew slowly westward at low altitude until faded from sight
case_source: BLUEBOOK
size_meters: about the height of a car
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: Officer Lonnie Zamora, on highway patrol, sighted an oval-shaped craft near Socorro, N.M. When he left his police car for a closer look, the strange machine blasted flame from underneath, rose to a low altitude, then raced out of sight.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:23
ground_traces: Four wedge-shaped indentations and scorched grass/burned bush
location_text: about a mile south of Socorro, New Mexico, near White Sands missile range
witness_count: 1
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
light_emissions: brilliant white, blasted flame from underneath
witness_sex_age: male
witness_reactions: Zamora was scared; given 'top believability rating' by Air Force
witness_occupation: police officer
nature_of_phenomenon: Landed craft with occupants
vallee_classification: CE2

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:3124 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
shape: Egg-shaped
state: New Mexico
country: USA
weather: clear, setting sun
date_raw: Friday (April 1964), near Socorro / Stull truck sighting
incident: A man named Green and Mrs. Stull's husband saw an egg-shaped object about half the size of jet planes, shining brightly in the setting sun; Mrs. Stull's husband dived beneath the truck dashboard. Green said he watched them for about two minutes before they disappeared over the eastern horizon.
radar_data: FAA saw nothing unusual on radar
time_local: setting sun
trajectory: Disappeared over the eastern horizon
case_source: BLUEBOOK
size_meters: about half the size of jet planes
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: Mrs. Stull's wife dived beneath the truck dashboard after seeing the egg-shaped object, about half the size of jet planes and shining brightly in the setting sun. Green said he saw them possibly two minutes before they disappeared over the eastern horizon.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:31
location_text: Socorro area, New Mexico
witness_count: 2
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
light_emissions: shining brightly in the setting sun
duration_minutes: 2
witness_reactions: Dived beneath truck dashboard
nature_of_phenomenon: Object in flight
vallee_classification: CE1

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:3428 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: gully/field near desert
shape: egg-shaped / bathtub-shaped, on four girderlike legs
sound: roar
state: New Mexico
country: USA
weather: no unusual meteorological activity
date_raw: April 24, 1964
incident: Socorro policeman Lonnie Zamora reported a white, egg-shaped (also described as bathtub-shaped/silvery) object standing on girderlike legs in a gully a mile south of town. He heard a roar and saw smoke and flames coming from underneath. The object rose to about 15-20 feet above the ground, the flames and smoke ceased, it remained stationary several seconds, then flew off southward following the contour of the gully. Scorched grass and four ground indentations were found.
radar_data: radar installations observed no unusual or unidentified blips
time_local: approximately 5:45 p.m. (also reported 5:30 p.m.)
trajectory: rose 15-20 feet, hovered, flew off in southerly direction following gully contour
case_source: BLUEBOOK
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: Lonnie Zamora said the object was white, egg-shaped and supported on girderlike legs. He heard a rear and saw smoke and flames coming from underneath the object.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:34
ground_traces: scorched grass and four shallow depressions/indentations at landing site
location_text: a mile south of Socorro, New Mexico, on edge of White Sands Missile Range
witness_count: 1
photo_or_video: re-enacted for Empire Film Studios documentary
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
light_emissions: smoke and flames from underneath
witness_sex_age: male
witness_reactions: Zamora was scared and ran; said he would not report another such object
witness_occupation: Socorro city policeman
materials_recovered: soil samples taken; burned brush analyzed
nature_of_phenomenon: Landed craft with takeoff observed

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:4128 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Secluded gully across a narrow rock-strewn dry wash, near the courthouse
shape: Egg-shaped, windowless bright metal object with girder-like legs
sound: Roar/blast on take-off with a sharp whining sound at the end; otherwise no jet trail noise
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: Friday [April 24, 1964], shortly before 6 p.m.
incident: City Policeman Lonnie Zamora, while pursuing a speeding car, heard a roar and saw flames and an egg-shaped, windowless bright metal object in a gully. He saw two small, child-like figures in white coveralls beside it. The object rose straight up with a ring of blue flame from jets around its bottom, became level with his car, moved west about two miles, then gained altitude rapidly and disappeared. Burned greasewood, seared green growth, and shallow leg-depressions remained at the landing site.
lifeforms: Two small 'child-like' figures dressed in white coveralls; one turned and looked at Zamora
time_local: shortly before 6 p.m.
trajectory: Rose straight up ~20 feet, maintained altitude west in straight line ~2 miles to perlite mill, then gained altitude rapidly and disappeared
case_source: BLUEBOOK
size_meters: as long as a telephone pole, ~14 feet diameter
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: City Policeman Lonnie Zamora, described as a highly reliable source, stated two persons in a gully south of the courthouse shortly before 6 p.m. Friday saw the object rise straight up and take off, and disappear beyond Six-Mile Canyon to the west.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:41
ground_traces: Four shallow leg holes (~1 foot long by 6 inches wide), burned greasewood and seared clumps of green growth, two round smooth depressions, broken branches; no footprints
location_text: a gully south of the courthouse, Socorro, N.M.
witness_count: 1
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
light_emissions: Ring of blue flame erupting from many jets around the bottom of the craft
witness_sex_age: male, adult
witness_reactions: Zamora dropped to the ground fearing an explosion and covered his face; notified sheriff's office immediately
witness_occupation: City Policeman
materials_recovered: Military took samples of the burned earth for analysis
nature_of_phenomenon: Landing with occupants and take-off
vallee_classification: CE3

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:4522 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Hillside / desert near highway
shape: Egg-shaped with four legs
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: April 24, 1964
incident: Socorro policeman Lonnie Zamora saw what he described as a four-legged, egg-shaped object with at least two persons aboard, which landed in the area south of Socorro. Dr. J. Allen Hynek offered a $100 reward to locate a motorist who reportedly also saw the object.
lifeforms: At least two persons reported aboard the object
trajectory: Object landed in the area; later flew off
case_source: BLUEBOOK
time_of_day: Day
source_quote: On April 24, 1964, Socorro policeman Lonnie Zamora saw what he described as a four-legged, egg-shaped object with at least two persons aboard.
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:45
location_text: south of Socorro on the Zamora hill, U.S. 85, Socorro, New Mexico
witness_count: 1
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
witness_sex_age: Male
witness_reactions: Investigated by Air Force Project Blue Book; reward offered to find additional witness
witness_occupation: Police officer
nature_of_phenomenon: Landed craft with occupants
vallee_classification: CE3

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:4618 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: Highway U.S. 85
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: April 24, 1964 (reported in Telegraph-Herald April 29, 1964)
incident: Two persons from Dubuque, Iowa — Paul Kies and Larry Kratzer — were reported by the Telegraph-Herald as having seen the object in question at Socorro. A tourist traveling north on U.S. 85 reportedly saw the UFO just before it landed, describing it as a funny-looking helicopter that flew directly over his car.
trajectory: Object flew low and directly over the witness's car before landing
case_source: BLUEBOOK
source_quote: Two persons from Dubuque were listed in the story as having seen the object in question. The story lists: Paul Kies, 650 Sunset Ridge, Dubuque, Iowa and Larry Kratzer, 1504 Henion, Dubuque, Iowa
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:f1d19d1f:46
location_text: Socorro, New Mexico (witnesses from Dubuque, Iowa, traveling through)
witness_count: 2
source_doc_sha: f1d19d1f9cc61a95379de8cd1dd9513cc9ac13590dc10961865fff7d7c8c1338
witness_sex_age: Male (Paul Kies, Larry Kratzer)
witness_reactions: Witness thought it was a funny-looking helicopter; report initially given no importance
nature_of_phenomenon: Flying object observed by passing motorists
vallee_classification: CE1

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:9a43d631:96112 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: landing site
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: April 24, 1964
incident: Case listed with a landing site near Socorro; entry truncated in document.
case_source: BLUEBOOK
source_quote: April 24, 1964. 1 mile SSW of Socorro, New Mexico (landing site near 34° 2’3
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:9a43d631:961
location_text: 1 mile SSW of Socorro, New Mexico (landing site near 34° 2’3...)
source_doc_sha: 9a43d631b4fef701b0eca48a6a4341610f3d1de7281b7a5bd94eb1429136df30

BLUEBOOK-DOCBLUEBOOK-DOC:9a43d631:96225 fields

city: Socorro
date: 1964-04-24
site: gully off gravel road, near Socorro Municipal Airport
shape: oval, egg-shaped on two legs
sound: loud roar increasing in volume; thumping noises like a door shut hard
state: New Mexico
country: USA
date_raw: April 24, 1964 (Socorro, NM)
incident: Police officer Lonnie Zamora, chasing a speeder, heard a roaring sound and saw a bluish-orange funnel of flame descending in the sky. He pursued and found a shiny whitish-aluminum oval landed object about 12-15 ft tall on two legs in a gully, with two small adult-like figures in white coveralls nearby, one seeming startled and jumping. He heard thumping noises, then a loud roar and saw a smokeless blue-orange flame come from beneath the object as it rose with a red insignia/lettering. The object rose and flew off very fast to the SW. Physical traces, burning brush and ground indentations were found.
lifeforms: 2 small adult-like figures in white coveralls
time_local: 5:45-5:50 p.m.
trajectory: descended, landed, rose vertically then flew off horizontally very fast to the SW clearing canyon mountain
case_source: BLUEBOOK
size_meters: about 12-15 ft tall
time_of_day: Dusk
source_quote: Socorro Police Dept. patrol officer Lonnie Zamora... suddenly noticed a shiny whitish-aluminum color landed object about 12-15 ft tall about 800 ft away to the SW down in a gully
catalog_entry: BLUEBOOK-DOC:9a43d631:962
ground_traces: physical traces, burning brush and indentations in the ground
location_text: Socorro, New Mexico (34°03' N, 106°53'52" W)
witness_count: 1
source_doc_sha: 9a43d631b4fef701b0eca48a6a4341610f3d1de7281b7a5bd94eb1429136df30
light_emissions: bluish-orange funnel of flame; smokeless blue-orange flame from beneath
witness_reactions: officer thought it would explode, ran away and ducked below ridge
witness_occupation: Police patrol officer
nature_of_phenomenon: Landed craft with occupants

Geography

Sources

BLUEBOOK-DOC
BLUEBOOK-DOC
UFOCAT
UFOCAT

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